The Sleeping Prince by Jade Astor

Author:Jade Astor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tulabella Ruby Press

Chapter 6

“There, you see? You can walk,” Edrick said as Valerius crossed the room to the washbasin. They laughed. Edrick got up and enfolded Valerius in his arms. They shared a kiss standing up, their bodies pressed together.

“I will always remember you like that,” Valerius said, looking down at Edrick’s nakedness with obvious admiration. “You are perfect. I think my father and Drax were right that Fate sent you to me.” He frowned. “Let us hope Drax was not right about the other things, though.”

“I am here to protect you. I will not be swayed from my purpose, you may rest assured.”

Nodding, biting his lip a bit, Valerius filled the washbasin with the water from the jug. They bathed each other with small, soft cloths, then dried and redressed one another. Presently servants arrived with baskets of bread, pots of honey, and jugs of ale and wine.

“I wonder where your father is this morning,” Edrick said as they settled down to share the meal.

“No doubt he will be here soon enough. He will want to congratulate me on reaching my natal day—not to mention make sure I am still alive,” Valerius said with a touch of bitterness.

“He need have no worries on that score. I will make certain of that.”

With the urgency of their passions sated for the moment, they turned to talking of their pasts, which provided welcome respite from the concerns of the present. Valerius listened raptly as Edrick described his training and induction into knighthood, leaving out Baron Lionel’s name along with any details that might help Valerius to identify his origins. Valerius asked questions about his swords, his adventures, and his war wounds, but nothing too personal. In return, he described growing up in the castle—the long, boring days taken up by lessons with his tutor, Alegarus, a short-tempered but brilliant old man who had eventually expired and thankfully left Valerius to his own devices.

“He taught me several languages and all the known continents and star patterns.” Valerius laughed. “When he died, I made it my business to forget them. It was sort of a way to repay him for all the times he took the switch to me for reciting wrong. Now I regret that. He meant well, so I try to remember what he told me.”

“A switch is nothing compared to the beatings I received from my trainers,” Edrick said with a smile. “They believed that enduring pain made a knight stronger and braver. I suppose they were right, for I have since felt much worse and never complained.”

“I would have preferred training as a knight to memorizing dreary scrolls and codices. My father says I am not needed in battle, though. We have Sir Tomas to handle such things. My job is to be a ruler and administer justice, not the sword, he says.” His expression changed. “Of course, now that I do have a sword, it looks as though I may never get the chance.”

Edrick downed the last piece of honey-soaked bread. “You will.

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